Water treatment system and method

ABSTRACT

The invention in at least one embodiment includes a system for treating water having an intake module, a vortex module, a disk-pack module, and a motor module. In a further embodiment, a housing is provided over at least the intake module and the vortex module and sits above the disk-pack module. In at least one further embodiment, the disk-pack module includes a disk-pack turbine having a plurality of disks having at least one waveform present on at least one of the disks.

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/331,892, filed Oct. 23, 2016, which is acontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/240,398,filed Feb. 23, 2014, which is a national stage application of PCTApplication No. PCT/US2012/052351, filed Aug. 24, 2012, which claims thebenefit of U.S. provisional Application Ser. No. 61/526,834, filed Aug.24, 2011 entitled “Water Treatment System and Method for Use in StorageContainers” and U.S. provisional Application Ser. No. 61/604,494, filedFeb. 28, 2012 entitled “Water Treatment System”, which are all herebyincorporated by reference.

I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention in at least one embodiment relates to a system and methodfor use in treating water.

II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides in at least one embodiment a system including amotor module having a base; a disk-pack module having a disk-packturbine in rotational engagement with the motor module; a vortex modulein fluid communication with the disk-pack turbine; a plurality ofconduits providing the inlets for the vortex module; and a plurality ofsupport members connected to the disk-pack module and the vortex modulesuch that the vortex module is above the disk-pack module. In a furtherembodiment, the system further includes a housing cover connected to atleast one of the plurality of support members, the housing coverincluding a bottom opening and a cavity in which the vortex module andthe disk-pack module reside, and wherein the housing cover and a motormodule are spaced from each other or openings are passing through one orboth of them such that a fluid pathway runs from external to the housingcover to the conduits. In any of the embodiments, the system in afurther embodiment is installed in a water storage container.

The invention provides in at least one embodiment a system having amotor module having a base; a disk-pack module having a disk-packturbine in rotational engagement with the motor module; a vortex modulein fluid communication with the disk-pack turbine; an intake screendefining a space around the vortex module or an intake screen over eachconduit feeding the vortex module; and a plurality of conduits extendingfrom the vortex module into the space defined by the intake screen.

The inventions provides in at least one embodiment a system including amotor module having a base; a disk-pack module having a disk-packturbine in rotational engagement with the motor module, a turbinehousing defining an accumulation chamber in which the disk-pack turbineresides, and a discharge housing defining a discharge chamber in fluidcommunication with the accumulation chamber through a discharge channeland a discharge outlet in fluid communication with the dischargechamber; a vortex module in fluid communication with the disk-packturbine; a plurality of conduits extending from the vortex module; andan intake screen defining a space around the vortex module and theplurality of conduits or an intake screen over each conduit feeding thevortex module. In a further embodiment to the prior embodiment, each ofthe conduits defines a passageway from proximate to a bottom of thespace defined by the intake screen upwards to the vortex chamber inlets.In a further embodiment to the previous two embodiments, each of theconduits includes a plurality of bends including in one embodiment atleast one 90 degree bend and one 45 degree bend. In a further embodimentto the previous three embodiments, the system further includes any oneof the housings discussed in this disclosure over at least some of thecomponents or substantially all of the components. In a furtherembodiment to any of the previous embodiments, the intake moduleincludes an intake screen with a plurality of openings, an intakehousing defining an intake chamber, and a plurality of intake outlets influid communication with the intake chamber with each intake outlet influid communication with the vortex module through a respective conduit.In a further embodiment to any of the previous embodiments, the vortexmodule includes a vortex chamber having a housing defining a vortexchamber with an outlet axially aligned with the disk-pack turbine, and aplurality of inlets in fluid communication with the vortex chamber. In afurther embodiment to any of the previous embodiments, the motor moduleincludes a motor and a driveshaft connected to the motor and thedisk-pack turbine. In a further embodiment to any of the previousembodiments, the disk-pack module includes a turbine housing defining anaccumulation chamber in which the disk-pack turbine resides; and adischarge housing defining a discharge chamber in fluid communicationwith the accumulation chamber through a discharge channel and adischarge outlet in fluid communication with the discharge chamber. In afurther embodiment to any of the previous embodiments, the disk-packmodule further includes a supplemental inlet in fluid communication withthe accumulation chamber. In a further embodiment to the previous twoembodiments, the discharge housing includes at least one of a spiralprotrusion running around a wall of the discharge chamber in an upwarddirection towards the discharge outlet or a particulate spiralprotrusion running around a wall of the discharge chamber in a downwarddirection towards the particulate discharge port. In a furtherembodiment to the prior embodiment, the discharge outlet includes aradius flared outwardly wall. In a further embodiment to any of theprevious embodiments, the disk-pack turbine includes a plurality ofnon-flat disks. In a further embodiment to any of the previousembodiments in this paragraph, the disk-pack turbine includes aplurality of disks each having at least two waveforms present between acenter of the disk and a periphery of the disk. In a further embodimentto any of the previous two embodiments, the waveform is selected from agroup consisting of sinusoidal, biaxial sinucircular, a series ofinterconnected scallop shapes, a series of interconnected arcuate forms,hyperbolic, and/or multi-axial including combinations of these. In afurther embodiment to any of the previous three embodiments, thedisk-pack turbine includes a plurality of wing shims connecting thedisks. In a further embodiment to any of the previous embodiments inthis paragraph, the disk-pack turbine includes a top rotor and a lowerrotor. In a further embodiment to the previous embodiment, the top rotorand the lower rotor include cavities.

The invention provides in at least one embodiment a system including amotor; a disk-pack module having a housing having a cavity, and adisk-pack turbine in rotational engagement with the motor, the disk-packturbine located within the cavity of the housing, the disk-pack turbinehaving a plurality of disks spaced apart from each other and each diskhaving an axially centered opening passing therethrough with theplurality of openings defining at least in part an expansion chamber; avortex module having a vortex chamber in fluid communication with theexpansion chamber of the disk-pack turbine; a plurality of conduits influid communication with the vortex chamber of the vortex module andextending down from their respective connection points on the vortexmodule; and an intake screen around the vortex module and the pluralityof conduits. In a further embodiment, the system further includes aplurality of support members connected to the disk-pack module and thevortex module. In a further embodiment to the previous two embodiments,the system further includes a discharge housing defining a dischargechamber in fluid communication with the disk-pack housing cavity (or anaccumulation chamber) through a discharge channel and a discharge outletin fluid communication with the discharge chamber. In a furtherembodiment to any of the previous three embodiments, the cavity in thehousing includes an expanding discharge channel around its peripheryfrom a first point to a discharge passageway leading to the dischargechamber. In a further embodiment to any of the previous fourembodiments, the cavity of the housing is at least one of a modifiedtorus shape or a scarab shape, which may include the golden mean. In afurther embodiment to any of the previous five embodiments, each of theplurality of conduits includes an intake above the disk-pack module.

The invention provides in at least one embodiment a disk-pack turbinehaving a top rotor having an opening passing through its axial center, aplurality of disks each having an opening passing through its axialcenter and at least one waveform centered about the opening, a bottomrotor, and a plurality of wing shims connecting the top rotor, theplurality of disks, and the bottom rotor. In a further embodiment to theprevious embodiment, the thickness of each disk and/or the height of aspace between neighboring disks is less than 2.5 mm or any of themeasurements discussed in this disclosure in connection with thesecomponents. In a further embodiment to either of the previous twoembodiments, each of the plurality of disks has a substantially uniformthickness throughout the disk. In a further embodiment to any of theprevious three embodiments, the waveform includes at least one ridge andat least one channel. In a further embodiment to any of the previousfour embodiments, the waveform includes at least one circular and/or atleast one biaxial waveform. In a still further embodiment to any of theprevious five embodiments, the waveform includes at least one of thefollowing: sinusoidal, biaxial sinucircular, a series of interconnectedscallop shapes, a series of interconnected arcuate forms, hyperbolic,and/or multi-axial including combinations of these. In a still furtherembodiment to any of the previous six embodiments, at least twoneighboring disks nest together. In a further embodiment to theembodiments discussed in the prior paragraphs, the disk-pack turbineembodiments of this paragraph may be inserted into those above describedwater systems.

The invention provides in at least one embodiment a method includingdrawing water into and up a plurality of conduits; forming a vortex flowof the water in a vortex chamber that receives the water from theplurality of conduits; discharging the water from the vortex chamberinto an expansion chamber defined in a disk-pack turbine; channeling thewater between spaces that exist between disks of the disk-pack turbineto travel from the expansion chamber to an accumulation chambersurrounding the disk-pack turbine; routing the water through theaccumulation chamber to a discharge chamber; and forming a vortical flowof the water up through the discharge chamber back into an environmentfrom which the water was drawn and a downward flow of particulate and/orprecipitated matter to a particulate discharge port.

Given the following enabling description of the drawings, the systemshould become evident to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical orfunctionally similar elements. The use of cross-hatching (or lackthereof) and shading within the drawings is not intended as limiting thetype of materials that may be used to manufacture the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment according to theinvention.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate different external views of another embodimentaccording to the invention that includes an optional precipitatecollection container (or catch basin).

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-section taken at 4-4 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-section taken at 4-4 in FIG. 3 butillustrates an embodiment according to the invention that omits ahousing according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 6-8 illustrate different side and/or perspective views of theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate views of the upper disk-pack turbine housingincluding a top view, a cross-section view, and a bottom view.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate views of the lower disk-pack turbinehousing including a top view and a side view.

FIGS. 11-13 illustrate a cross-section taken at 11-11 in FIG. 3 ofdifferent precipitate collection container embodiments according to theinvention.

FIG. 14 illustrates a further precipitate collection containerembodiment according to the invention.

FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate a further precipitate collection containerembodiment according to the invention.

FIG. 16A illustrates an alternative wing shim embodiment installed in apartial disk-pack. FIG. 16B illustrates a side view of a support memberof the wing shim illustrated in FIG. 16A. FIG. 16C illustrates a topview of a support member of the wing shim illustrated in FIG. 16A.

FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate a waveform disk pack turbine exampleaccording to at least one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 18A-18E illustrate a waveform disk pack turbine example accordingto at least one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 19 illustrates another embodiment according to the invention.

FIGS. 20A and 20B depict images of the water after it exits a dischargeoutlet built according to at least one embodiment of the invention.

IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-19 illustrate example embodiments according to the invention.The illustrated system in at least one embodiment is for treating waterthat is relatively free of debris such as water present in water storagecontainers and systems, pools, industrial process systems, coolingtowers and systems, municipal and/or tanker supplied water, and wellwater that are also examples of environments from which water can bedrawn. In further embodiments, there are additional filter structuresaround the intakes of the water treatment system such as a screen box orring and/or filter material. Although the non-limiting embodimentsdescribed herein are directed at water, water should be understood as anexample of a fluid, which covers both liquids and gases capable offlowing through a system. The illustrated system includes a housingmodule 500, an intake module 400, a vortex module 100, a disk-packmodule 200, and a motor module 300. The housing module 500 in at leastone embodiment is omitted as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 5-8.

Most of the illustrated and discussed systems have similar modes ofoperation that include drawing water into and up through a plurality ofconduits that extend down from a top of a vortex chamber in which aflow, which is at least one embodiment is a vortex, of the water isformed prior to being discharged into an expansion chamber present in adisk-pack turbine. The water is channeled away from the expansionchamber into the spaces that exist between disks of the disk-packturbine to travel to an accumulation chamber surrounding the disk-packturbine where the water is accumulate and circulated into a dischargechannel that leads to a discharge chamber. The discharge chamber in atleast one embodiment forms a vortical flow of the water up through thedischarge chamber back into an environment from which the water wasdrawn and a downward flow of particulate and/or precipitated matter to aparticulate discharge port. In some further embodiments, the mode ofoperation includes drawing water into a housing that at leastsubstantially encloses the conduits and the vortex chamber where thehousing draws the water from below a height of the vortex chamber suchas around the disk-pack turbine module or from below an elevated base ofthe motor module. In a further embodiment to the previous embodiments,the vortical flow of the water includes a significant volume of vorticalsolitons that are produced by the system and flow into the environmentcontaining the water.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate an example of a housing module 500 including acover 520 that covers the intake module 400 having an intake screen 425and the vortex module 100 as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 4. Thehousing module 500 includes a plurality of support members 525 thatalign and support the vortex module 100 and in at least one furtherembodiment the cover 520 as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 4. Thesupport members 525 in at least one embodiment are incorporated into atop of the disk-pack housing 220 (or attached to support anchors (orbosses) 524 illustrated, for example, in FIG. 4) and spaced around itforming a substantially circular pattern (although other arrangementscould be used) as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 9A. Alternatively,the support members 525 are instead anchored to support holes 524A in asupport plate 526 illustrated, for example, in FIG. 6; however, in afurther embodiment the support members 525 are anchored to both thesupport anchors 524 and the support holes 524A. The support members 525extend up through connection points such as mounting ears and/or holes125 on the vortex housing 120 and the cover 520. In at least oneembodiment, the support members 525 do not all extend up to the cover520 as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 4. In further embodiments, thesupport members 525 are multi-part. In at least one embodiment thesupport members 525 are connected to at least one housing/cover withbolts, screws, adhesive, interlocking engagement such as threaded orkeyed sections, and the like. In a still further embodiment, the supportmembers 525 act as guide rails for lowering the vortex module 100 ontothe disk-pack module 100 as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 4 and in afurther embodiment the cover 520 is attached to the top or proximate tothe top of the support members 525.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 520 includes an opening 521 fora discharge outlet (or discharge manifold) 232 to pass through to allowfor the flow of water up and away from the discharge outlet 232 asillustrated, for example, in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an example of how the cover 520 includes anopening 528 passing through its wall for a conduit 592 to pass throughfor depositing of precipitated solids external to the system. In afurther embodiment, the conduit 592 travels to a point external to theenvironment in which the system is installed, while in other embodimentsa catch (or precipitated collection) container 600 illustrated, forexample, in FIGS. 2, 3, and 11-13 or other type of catch containerillustrated, for example, in FIGS. 14-15B are examples of how to collectthe precipitated solids for later removal.

In at least one embodiment as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 4, thecover 520 of the housing module 500 and the motor module 300 define theinlet (or opening) 522 for water to be pulled into the system through,for example, the motor module base 324. In yet further embodiments, thecover 520 may take a variety of other shapes to that illustrated in theFigures such as a substantially box shape, a fulcrum shape, and asubstantially spherical shape. In at least one embodiment, the cover 520allows for operation of the system in shallower water than the height ofthe cover 520. In at least one embodiment, the larger and heavier solidsthat are present in the water that make it past, for example, the inlet522 will drop out of the upward flow of the water within the cover 520.The water flows in at the inlet 522, which in at least one embodimentprovides an initial filter to larger objects from getting into thesystem, and up to an intake screen 425. The water after passing throughthe intake screen 425 enters into the vortex intakes (or inlet conduits)490 that extend down from the vortex inlets 132 of the vortex chamber130 as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 4. The intake screen 425 blocksmaterial above a certain size based on the size of the openings passingthrough the screen 425. In a further embodiment, the intake screenincludes an O-ring around the bottom rim to seal against a plate 526that defines the bottom of the space. The plate 526 sits above thedisk-pack module 200 as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 4-8. In atleast one further embodiment, the plate 526 includes a gasket to sealaround the housing cover 520 where the housing cover 520 includes afirst screen layer to provide a block to larger debris that allows theintake screen 425 to block smaller particles/material. The horizontalcross-section of the cover 520 may take a variety of forms other thanthat illustrated in the Figures including elliptical, oval, parabolic,coma shape, and the top portion of an exclamation mark.

Although the conduits 490 are illustrated as pipes in FIGS. 4-8, basedon this disclosure it should be appreciated that the conduits can take avariety of forms while still providing a passageway connecting the areawithin the intake screen 425 to the vortex chamber 130 via at least onevortex chamber inlet 132. In at least one embodiment, the conduitsinclude at least one 90 degree elbow (or bend) to bend the conduit downfrom the vortex inlet. In a further embodiment, the conduits eachinclude a further 45 degree elbow to further bend the conduit to providea partially vertical component to the entry point as illustrated, forexample, in FIGS. 7 and 8. In at least one further embodiment, theconduits each include a second 45 degree elbow, which in at least oneembodiment allows the conduits to be proximate to (or in at least oneembodiment flush with) the bottom of the space defined by the intakescreen, which in FIG. 5 is illustrated as a plate 526. In at least oneembodiment, the respective pairs of the intake conduit 490 and thevortex inlet 132 are integrally formed together. In at least onealternative embodiment, the illustrated conduits 490 include at leastone section of flexible conduit. In a further embodiment, the supportmembers 524, 525 are omitted, and instead the bottoms of the conduits490 rest against the support plate 526 (or if the support plate 526 isomitted, then against the disk-pack housing 120) such that the conduits490 assist in holding the vortex module 100 in place over the disk-packmodule 200.

As illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 4 and 5, the vortex inductionchamber 130 is a cavity formed inside a housing 120 of the vortex module100 to shape the in-flowing water into a through-flowing vortex that isfed into the disk-pack module 200. The illustrated vortex chamber 130includes a structure that funnels the water into a vortex upper section134 having a bowl (or modified concave hyperbolic) shape for receivingthe water that opens into a lower section 136 having a conical-like (orfunnel) shape with a steep vertical angle of change that opens into thedisk-pack module 200. The vortex chamber 130 in at least one embodimentserves to accumulate, accelerate, stimulate and concentrate the water asit is drawn into the disk-pack module 200 via centrifugal suction. In atleast one embodiment, the vortex chamber 130 is formed by a wall 137.The sides of the wall 137 follow a long radial path in the verticaldescending direction from a top to an opening 138 that reduces thehorizontal area defined by the sides of the wall 137 as illustrated, forexample, in FIG. 4.

As illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 4 and 5, the illustrated housing120 of the vortex module 100 includes a two-part configuration with acap 122 and a main body 124. The cap 122 and the main body 124 can beattached in a variety of ways including, for example, with screws,bolts, adhesive, interlocking engagement such as threaded or keyedsections, support members 525, etc. In at least one embodiment, the cap122 and the main body 124 form the vortex inlets 132 when assembledtogether. In an alternative embodiment, the cap 122 is illustrated, forexample, in FIG. 4 as having the top portion of the vortex chamber 130formed by a concentric concave depression 1222 on the inside face of thecap 122. The cap 122 and the main body 124 together form the pluralityof vortex inlets 132. Based on this disclosure, one of ordinary skill inthe art should understand that the vortex housing could have differentconfigurations of housing components while still providing a vortexchamber in which a vortex flow can be established.

The main body 124 is illustrated as having a passageway passingvertically through it to form the lower portion 136 of the vortexchamber 130. The main body 124 in at least one embodiment is attached tothe disk-pack housing 220 with the same support members 525 used toattach the cap 122 to the main body 124 as illustrated, for example, inFIG. 4. Other examples for attaching the main body 124 to the disk-packmodule 200 include adhesive, screws, and interlocking engagement such asthreaded or keyed sections, and friction engagement. In at least oneembodiment, the main body 124 sits in and/or on the disk pack turbinemodule 200.

In at least one embodiment, as the rotating, charging water passesthrough the base discharge opening 138 of the vortex induction chamber130 it is exposed to a depressive/vacuum condition as it enters into therevolving expansion and distribution chamber (or expansion chamber) 252in the disk-pack module 200 as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 5,17B, and 18C. The disk-pack module 200 includes (or forms) the revolvingexpansion chamber 252 that is illustrated as having anoval/elliptical/egg-shape chamber that includes a curved bottom portionprovided by a rigid feature 2522 incorporated into the bottom rotor 268of the disk-pack turbine 250 in at least one embodiment. Most of thevolumetric area for the expansion chamber 252 is formed by the centerholes in the separated stacked disks 260 which serve as water inlet anddistribution ports for the stacked disk chambers 262 where each chamberis formed between two neighboring disks. The top portion of theexpansion chamber 252 roughly mirrors the bottom with the addition of anopening passing through an upper rotor 264 that is bordered by a curvedstructure as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 17A. The opening iscentered axially with the vortex induction chamber outlet 138 above itas illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 4 and 5, providing a pathwaythrough which the water can pass between the two respective chambers. Inat least one embodiment, the expansion chamber 252 has a substantiallyegg shape as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 17B, 18C, and 18E.

An example of a disk-pack turbine 250 is illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and17A-18E. The illustrated disk-pack turbine 250 includes the top rotor264, a plurality of stacked disks 260, and the bottom rotor 268 having aconcave radial depression 2522 that provides a bottom for the expansionchamber 252. The illustrated bottom rotor 268 includes a motor hub 269,which in some embodiments may be integrally formed with the bottom rotor268. The motor hub 269 provides the interface to couple the disk-packturbine 250 to a drive shaft extending from the motor module 300. Thetop rotor 264, the bottom rotor 268, and/or the motor hub 269 arecoupled to the housing 220 with a bearing element (or a bushing) 280 orhave a bearing incorporated into the piece to allow for substantiallyreduced rotational friction of the disk-pack turbine 250 relative to thehousing as driven by the drive shaft and the motor.

Centrifugal suction created by water progressing from the innerdisk-pack chamber openings, which are the holes in the center of thedisks 260, toward the periphery of the disk chambers 262 establishes theprimary dynamics that draw, progress, pressurize and discharge fluidfrom the disk-pack turbine 250. The viscous molecular boundary layerpresent on the rotating disk surfaces provides mechanical advantagerelative to impelling water through and out of the disk-pack turbine250.

In at least one embodiment, the disk-pack turbine includes a pluralityof wing-shims 270 (illustrated in FIG. 4) spaced near (or at) the outeredge of the individual disks 260. Examples of wing-shims are provided inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/213,614 published as U.S. Pat. App.Pub. No. 2012/0048813, which is hereby incorporated by reference inconnection with the disclosed wing-shims 270 et seq. The wing-shimsprovide structure and support for the disks 260 in the disk-pack turbine250 and in at least one embodiment are responsible for maintaining diskpositions and separation tolerances. The disk separation provides space(or disk chambers) 262 through which water travels from the expansionchamber 252 to the accumulation chamber 230. In an alternativeembodiment, the wing shims are located around and proximate to theexpansion chamber 252. In at least one embodiment, the wing shims assistthe creation of a negative pressure without sheering of or formingcavitations in the water and assist the movement of the water into theaccumulation chamber.

The disk-pack turbine 250 is held in place by the housing 220 of thedisk-pack module 200 as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 4 and 5. Thehousing 220 includes an accumulation chamber 230 in which the disk-packturbine 250 rotates. The accumulation chamber 230 is illustrated, forexample, in FIGS. 9A-10B as having a modified torus shape or scarabshape, which may include the golden mean, (or in an alternativeembodiment a hyperbolic paraboloid cross-section) that leads to adischarge outlet 232 on the outside periphery of the housing 220. Inthis illustrated embodiment, there is one discharge outlet 232, but oneor more discharge outlets 232 may be added and, in at least oneembodiment, the discharge outlets 232 are equally spaced around thehousing periphery.

Once the fluid passes through the disk-pack turbine 250, it enters theaccumulation chamber 230 in which the disk-pack turbine 250 rotates. Theaccumulation chamber 230 is an ample, over-sized chamber within thedisk-pack module 200 as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 4 and 5. Theaccumulation chamber 230 gathers the fluid after it has passed throughthe disk-pack turbine 250. The highly energetic water with concentratedmixed motion smoothly transitions to be discharged at low pressure andlow linear velocity (with a large velocity in at least one embodimentwithin the motion including micro-vortices) through the discharge outlet232 back into the environment from which the water was taken. Asillustrated, for example, in FIGS. 4 and 5, the shape of theaccumulation chamber 230 is designed to provide its shortest heightproximate to the perimeter of the disk-pack turbine 250. Beyond theshortest height there is a discharge channel 231 that directs the wateraround to the discharge outlet 232 and also in at least one embodimentprovides for the space to augment the water in the accumulation chamber230 through an optional supplemental inlet 290 illustrated, for example,in FIGS. 9A, 9C and 10A. The discharge channel 231 has a substantiallyelliptical cross-section (although other cross-sections are possible) asillustrated, for example, in FIGS. 4 and 5. The accumulation chamberwall in at least one embodiment closes up to the perimeter of the diskpack turbine 250 at a point proximate to the discharge channel 231 exitsthe accumulation chamber 230 to provide a passageway that travelstowards a discharge chamber 2324 as illustrated, for example, in FIGS.9C and 10A.

The illustrated housing 220 includes a top section 2202 and a bottomsection 2204 that together form the housing and the illustratedaccumulation chamber 230 with a discharge channel 231 extendingsubstantially around the periphery of the accumulation chamber 230.FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate the top section 2202, while FIGS. 10A-10Billustrate the bottom section 2204. As illustrated in FIG. 10B, thebottom section 2204 includes a particulate discharge port 2326 that inat least one embodiment includes a spiraling protrusion 2327illustrated, for example, in FIG. 10A.

FIGS. 9A-10B illustrate the presence of the supplemental inlet 290 intothe accumulation chamber 230 to augment the water present in theaccumulation chamber 230. As illustrated, the supplemental inlet 290enters the accumulation chamber 230 at a point just after the dischargechannel 231 extends away from the accumulation chamber 230 to routefluid towards the discharge chamber 2324. As illustrated in FIG. 10B,the supplemental inlet 290 includes a curved bottom 2922 that extendsout from an inlet feed chamber 292 into the start of the dischargechannel 231 as it expands and travels in a counter-clockwise directionaway from the accumulation chamber 230 and the supplemental inlet 290.In at least one embodiment, the inlet feed chamber 292 shapes theincoming flow of water from the supplemental inlet 290 to augment thecounter-clockwise flow of water in the accumulation chamber 230 and thedischarge channel 231. In at least one embodiment, this is accomplishedby the creation of a vortical flow in the inlet feed chamber 292. In atleast one embodiment, the supplemental inlet 290 includes an optionalvalve 294 to control the level of augmentation as illustrated, forexample, in FIGS. 1-3. Although the value 294 is illustrated as being amanual valve, it should be understood based on this disclosure that thevalve could be electronically controlled in at least one embodiment.Based on this disclosure, it should be understood that the valve 294 maytake a variety of structures. In an alternative embodiment, thesupplemental inlet 290 is omitted as it is being an optional componentto the illustrated system.

The discharge outlet 232 includes a housing 2322 having a dischargechamber 2324 that further augments the spin and rotation of the waterbeing discharged as the water moves upwards in an approximatelyegg-shaped compartment. In an alternative embodiment, the output of thedischarge outlet 232 is routed to another location other than from wherethe water was drawn into the system from. In at least one embodiment asillustrated, for example, in FIGS. 4 and 5, the housing 2322 includes anupper housing 2322′, which can be a separate piece or integrally formedwith housing 2322 that defines an expanding diameter cavity fordischarging the water from the system. The discharge chamber 2324includes a particulate discharge port 2326 that connects to a conduit592 as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 8 to remove from the system,for example, particulate, precipitated matter and/or concentrated solidsthat have precipitated out of the water during processing and to routeit away from the system in at least one embodiment. In at least oneembodiment as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 4 and 5, the shape ofthe discharge chamber 2324 facilitates the creation of a vortex exitflow for material out through the particulate discharge port 2326 and avortex exit flow for the water out through the discharge outlet 232forming multiple vortical solitons that float up and away from thedischarge outlet 232 spinning and in many cases maintaining a relativeminimum distance amongst themselves as illustrated in FIGS. 20A and 20B.The vortical solitons in this embodiment continue in motion in thecontainer in which they are discharged until they are interrupted byanother object.

In at least one embodiment, the discharge chamber 2324 includes at leastone spiraling protrusion 2325 (illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 4, 5,and 9C) that extends from just above (or proximate) the intake (ordischarge port or junction between the passageway coming from theaccumulation chamber 230 and the discharge chamber 2324) 2321 (see FIG.9C) into the discharge chamber 2324 up through or at least to thedischarge outlet 232 (and/or upper housing 2322′ illustrated in, forexample, FIG. 9A) to encourage additional rotation in the water prior todischarge. In at least one embodiment, the spiraling protrusion 2325extends up through the discharge outlet 232. The spiraling protrusion2325 in at least one embodiment spirals upward in a counterclockwisedirection when viewed from above; however, based on this disclosure itshould be appreciated that the direction of the spiral could beclockwise, for example, if these system were used in the southernhemisphere.

In at least one embodiment, the discharge chamber 2324 includes at leastone (second or particulate) spiraling protrusion 2327 that extends fromjust below and/or proximate to the intake 2321 down through thedischarge chamber 2324 towards the particulate discharge port 2326 asillustrated, for example, in FIG. 10A. When viewed from above in FIG.10A, the spiraling protrusion 2327 spirals in a counter-clockwisedirection; however, based on this disclosure it should be appreciatedthat the direction of the spiral could be clockwise, for example, if thesystem were used in the southern hemisphere. Based on this disclosure,it should be understood that one or both of the spiraling protrusions2325, 2327 could be used in at least one embodiment. In an alternativeembodiment to the above protrusion embodiments, the protrusions arereplaced by grooves formed in the discharge chamber wall.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the discharge chamber's diametershrinks as it approaches the upper housing 2322′, which as illustratedincludes a long radii expanding back out to decompress the dischargedwater for return to the storage tank or other water source. In analternative embodiment, the long radii begins proximate to the intake2321 in the discharge chamber 2324. This structure in at least oneembodiment provides for a convergence of flow of water prior to adivergence back out of the flow of water.

The base of the system illustrated, for example, in FIG. 4 is the motormodule 300 that includes a housing 320 with an outwardly extending base324 having a plurality of feet 322 spaced around the periphery of thebase 324 to provide support and distribute the weight of the system outfurther to provide stability in at least one embodiment. In at least onefurther alternative embodiment, the feet 322 are spaced around theperiphery of the base 324. In at least one embodiment the base 324extends out to the perimeter of the bottom of the housing cover 520 toin at least one embodiment define a space formed by the base 324 and theinside of the housing cover 520. The motor housing 320 substantiallyencloses the motor (not illustrated, but would be present where thenumber 310 is located in FIG. 4); however, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and5, there are multiple openings 326 through which water can pass and coolthe motor in at least one embodiment. The motor housing 320 provides thebase on which the disk-pack module 200 rests and is connected to bybolts or the like connection members. In at least one furtherembodiment, the base 324 is included as part of the housing module 500.In at least one further embodiment, the base 324 is omitted and themotor is attached to and/or supported by the housing 320. In yet afurther embodiment, the base 324 is replaced by a plurality ofhorizontal support members running from the motor housing 320 to thehousing cover 520 providing structural support to the housing cover 520and a place to have the footings 322 depend from in embodiments havingfootings.

In a further embodiment to the above-described embodiments, the housingcover 520 is omitted. An example of how the system may look like isillustrated in FIGS. 5-8, which omit the housing cover 520 and theintake screen 425, which in at least one embodiment takes the form of acylindrical filter screen, that would fit over the intakes 490 andvortex module 300. One adjustment to the system depicted in thesefigures is that the support members 524 would be shortened to provide aflush surface on the top for the intake screen 425, which would includea top that optionally could be solid or have a plurality of openingspassing therethrough that in at least one embodiment are substantiallythe same size as the intake screen 425.

In a further alternative embodiment, the intake screen 425 is omittedfrom the system. In a further alternative embodiment to the omission ofthe intake screen 425 or other alternative embodiments is to includeattaching the housing cover 520 to the system directly through aplurality of the support members rising above the vortex chamber throughone or more cross bars running across at least two support members toprovide a connection point.

In a further alternative embodiment, the intake screen 425 is omitted,but replaced by a screen over the intake openings passing through thehousing cover 520. In another alternative embodiment the intake screen425 is omitted, but replaced by a filter member attached to each openend of the inlet conduit 490. An example of the filter member is ascreen with a threaded base that is secured to the vortex conduitthrough a threaded connection. Other examples of ways to attach thefilter member include press fitting, adhesive, integral integration intothe conduit, etc.

In a further embodiment, the housing cover 520 and intake screen 425 areattached to the cap 122 of the vortex housing 120 with a threaded boltthat extends up from the cap 122 as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 4.In a further embodiment, the vortex housing 120 includes a boss 540extending up from the vortex cap 122 that includes a threaded openingfor engaging the threaded bolt 542 that passes through a handle 544 asillustrated, for example, in FIGS. 1 and 4. In at least one embodimentthis structure provides compression of the top of the intake screen 425between it and the inside of the top of the housing cover 520. In afurther embodiment, the intake screen 425 includes an open top thatincludes an O-ring around the top rim to seal against the inside of thetop of the housing cover 520 as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 4. Inat least one further embodiment, the handle 544 can further also providean air release when the system is initially placed in the water oralternatively a separate valve structure can be provided along the topof the housing 520.

In a further embodiment to at least one of the previously describedembodiments, the components are rearranged/reconfigured to change therotation provided by the system in the opposite direction, for example,for use in the Southern Hemisphere.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 11-13 illustrate different optional precipitatecollection modules 600 having a precipitate collection container 620according to the invention. FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate an example of aprecipitate collection container 620 connected to an embodiment of thesystem; however, based on this disclosure it should be appreciated thatthe different precipitate collection modules 600 could be attached tothe various embodiments for the system discussed in this disclosurealong with other water treatment systems having a precipitate dischargecomponent. One of ordinary skill in the art should realize that theprecipitate collection container 620 can take a variety of shapes andforms beyond that illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 11-15B while stillproviding a cavity 622 to receive, for example, particulate,precipitated matter and/or concentrated solids or similar material and ascreened discharge (or screen) 624 such as that illustrated on an exitport 626. In an alternative embodiment, the raised portion is a tallerpipe structure (or riser) 626C extending up from the rest of theprecipitate collection container 620C as illustrated, for example, inFIG. 14. In the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 11-13, a screen 624 isincluded at least in part to allow for water to pass through whilepreventing the material from passing back out into the water beingprocessed.

FIGS. 11-13 illustrate cross-sections of example embodiments for theprecipitate collection container 620 where the cross-section is taken at11-11 in FIG. 3. FIGS. 11-13 illustrate an inlet 621 at the end of theprecipitate collection container 620 opposite where the screen 624and/or exit port 626 are located. Based on this disclosure, it should beappreciated that the exit port 626 extending above the cover 628 may beomitted. FIG. 11 illustrates the precipitate collection container 620having an inlet 621 through which the conduit 592 attaches to provide afluid pathway into the cavity 622 to allow for the accumulation ofmaterial in the bottom of the precipitate collection container 620 whilewater is allowed to exit from the precipitate collection container 620through, for example, the screen 624 (illustrated as part of the exitport 626). Based on this disclosure, it should be understood that theconduit 592 (although shown as extending into the cavity 622) mayinstead have a connection point external to the cavity 622 such asthrough a hose connector or other mechanical engagement. FIG. 11 alsoillustrates a further optional embodiment for the precipitate collectioncontainer 620 where the precipitate collection container includes a lid628 that can be removed so that the collected material can be removedfrom the precipitate collection container 620. FIG. 12 illustratesanother embodiment of the precipitate collection container 620A having abottom 6222A of the cavity 622A with a slight gradient from the inlet621 down towards the exit port 626. FIG. 13 illustrates the embodimentfrom FIG. 12 where the precipitate collection container 620B includesthe addition of a screen projection (or wall) 623 extending from thewall opposite of the inlet 621 into the cavity 622B. The screenprojection 623 although illustrated as extending at an angle, couldinstead be substantially horizontal. The screen projection 623 acts as afurther barrier to the material escaping from the precipitate collectioncontainer 620.

FIG. 14 illustrates an alternative precipitate collection container 620Cthat includes an inlet 621 that can take the forms discussed above forthe inlet. It should be appreciated that additional inlets could beadded to accommodate additional conduits or alternatively the inletcould include a manifold attachment for connection to multiple conduits.The illustrated precipitate collection container 620C further includes alid 628C on which is a riser 626C, which is an example of an exit port,with a screen 624C along its top surface to allow for the flow of waterthrough the precipitate collection container 620C up through the riser626C while the material is collected inside the device. The variousinternal configurations discussed for FIGS. 11-13 could also be presentwithin the precipitate collection container 620C.

FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate a funnel shaped precipitate collectioncontainer 620D with a whirlpool chamber 622D present within it. Like theprevious embodiments, the precipitate collection container 620D includesan inlet 621D for connection to a conduit. It should be appreciated thatadditional inlets could be added to accommodate additional conduits oralternatively the inlet could include a manifold attachment forconnection to multiple conduit. The illustrated precipitate collectioncontainer 620D includes a lid 628D on which a riser 626D extends up fromto allow for the flow of water through the precipitate collectioncontainer 620D while the material is collected inside the device. Thefunnel shape of the cavity 622D with a particulate port 629D extendingfrom the bottom of the cavity 6222D encourages the formation of awhirlpool, which will pull any material present in the cavity 6222D intoa downward flow to drain out the particulate port into another cavity orout of the environment in which the system is running. In a furtherembodiment, the particulate port 629D includes a valve that can be opento drain any material that has collected in the cavity 6222D as part ofa flush operation using the water present in the system to flush thematerial out of the particulate port 629D. FIG. 19 illustrates anexample of the precipitate collection container 620D installed in awater storage tank with the particulate port 629D passing out throughthe bottom 914 of the tank 910. In a further embodiment, there aremultiple inlets and risers evenly spaced about the cover in analternating pattern. In a still further embodiment, the inlets and/orrisers are angled relative to the cover. FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 19 alsoillustrate an alternative embodiment of the precipitate collectioncontainer 620D having a plurality of legs 627D to in part stabilize theprecipitate collection container 620D against a surface.

In a further embodiment to the above precipitate collection containerembodiments, a diffuser in fluid communication with the conduit ispresent within the cavity to spread the water and material coming intothe cavity out from any direct stream of water and/or material thatmight otherwise exist. Examples of a diffuser are a structure thatexpands out from its input side to its output side, mesh or other largeopening screen, and steel wool or other similar material with largepores.

In a further embodiment, the precipitate collection container would bereplaced by a low flow zone formed in the environment from which thewater is being pulled, for example a water tank.

FIGS. 16A-16C provide an illustration of an alternative wing shim aplurality of spacers 272N and a hexagonal support member 276M connectingthem and providing alignment of the spacers 272N relative to the supportmember 276M and the disk 260N. The spacers 272N include a hexagonalopening passing through it to allow it to slide over the support member276N. The disks 260N include a plurality of hexagonal openings 2602N.The support members 276N extend between the top and lower rotors and inat least one embodiment are attached to the rotors using screws orbolts. Based on this disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the cross-section of the support members may takedifferent forms while still providing for alignment of the spacers 272Nrelative to the disks 260N.

In a further embodiment to at least one of the previously describedembodiments, the disk-pack turbine includes a plurality of disks havingwaveforms present on them as illustrated in FIGS. 17A-18E. Although theillustrated waveforms are either concentric circles (FIGS. 17A and 17B)or biaxial (FIGS. 18A-18E), it should be understood that the waveformscould also be sinusoidal, biaxial sinucircular, a series ofinterconnected scallop shapes, a series of interconnected arcuate forms,hyperbolic, and/or multi-axial including combinations of these that whenrotated provide progressive, disk channels with the waveforms beingsubstantially centered about an expansion chamber. The shape of theindividual disks defines the waveform, and one approach to creatingthese waveforms is to stamp the metal used to manufacture the disks toprovide the desired shapes. Other examples of manufacture includemachining, casting (cold or hot), injection molding, molded andcentered, and/or electroplating of plastic disks of the individualdisks. The illustrated waveform disks include a flange 2608, which maybe omitted depending on the presence and/or the location of the wingshims, around their perimeter to provide a point of connection for wingshims 270 used to construct the particular disk-pack turbine. In afurther embodiment, the wing shims 270 are located around and proximateto the expansion chamber in the disk turbine. In a further embodiment,the wing shims are omitted and replaced by, for example, stamped (ormanufactured, molded or casted) features that provide a profile axiallyand/or peripherally for attachment to a neighboring disk or rotor.

In a variety of embodiments the disks have a thickness less than fivemillimeters, less than four millimeters, less than three millimeters,less than and/or equal to two millimeters, and less than and/or equal toone millimeter with the height of the disk chambers depending on theembodiment having approximately 1.3 mm, between 1.3 mm to 2.5 mm, ofless than or at least 1.7 mm, between 1.0 mm and 1.8 mm, between 2.0 mmand 2.7 mm, approximately 2.3 mm, above 2.5 mm, and above at least 2.7mm. Based on this disclosure it should be understood that a variety ofother disk thickness and/or disk chamber heights are possible whilestill allowing for assembly of a disk-pack turbine for use in theillustrated systems and disk-pack turbines. In at least one embodiment,the height of the disk chambers is not uniform between two neighboringnested waveform disks. In a still further embodiment, the disk chamberheight is variable during operation when the wing shims are locatedproximate to the center openings.

FIGS. 17A-18E illustrate respective disk-pack turbines 250X, 250Y thatinclude an upper rotor 264X and a lower rotor 268X that have asubstantially flat engagement surface (other than the expansion chamberelements) facing the area where the disks 260X, 260Y are present. In analternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 18E, the disk-pack turbineincludes an upper rotor 264Y and a lower rotor 268Y with open areasbetween their periphery and the expansion chamber features to allow thewaveforms to flow into the rotor cavity and thus allow for more disks tobe stacked resulting in a higher density of waveform disks for thedisk-pack turbine height with the omission of substantially flat disks260Y′ that are illustrated as being covers over the open areas of therotors 264Y, 268Y. FIG. 18E also illustrates an alternative embodimentwhere there is a mixture of substantially flat disks 260Y′ and nestedwaveform disks 260Y. FIGS. 17A-18E illustrate how the waveforms includedescending thickness waves in each lower disk. In at least oneembodiment, the waveforms are shallow enough to allow substantially thesame sized waveforms on neighboring disks.

FIG. 17A illustrates a side view of an example of the circular waveformdisk-pack turbine 250X. FIG. 17B illustrates a cross-section taken alonga diameter of the disk-pack turbine 250X and shows a view of the disks260X. Each circle waveform is centered about the expansion chamber 252X.The illustrated circle waveforms include two ridges 2603X and threevalleys 2604X. Based on this disclosure, it should be appreciated thatthe number of ridges and valleys could be reversed along with be anynumber greater than one limited by their radial depth and the distancebetween the expansion chamber 250X and the flange 2608.

FIG. 18A illustrates a top view of a disk-pack turbine 250Y without thetop rotor 264X to illustrate the biaxial waveform 2602Y, while FIGS.18B-18E provide additional views of the disk-pack turbine 250Y. FIGS.18A-18E provide an illustration of the waveforms rising above the diskwhile not dropping below the surface (or vice versa in an alternativeembodiment). The illustrated biaxial waveform 2602Y that is illustratedas including two ridges 2603Y and one valley 2604Y centered about theexpansion chamber 252Y. Based on this disclosure, it should beappreciated that the number of ridges and valleys could be reversedalong with be any number greater than one limited by their radial depthand the distance between the expansion chamber 252Y and the flange 2608.FIG. 18B illustrates a side view of three waveform disks 260Y stackedtogether without the presence of wing shims 270 or the rotors 264X,268X. FIG. 18C illustrates a partial cross-section of the disk-packturbine 250Y. FIG. 18D illustrates a side view of the assembleddisk-pack turbine 250Y. FIG. 18E illustrates a cross-section taken alonga diameter of the disk-pack turbine 250X and shows a view of the disks260Y.

FIG. 19 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the system installed ina water storage tank 910, which is partially cut-away to show what ispresent inside the storage tank. The illustrated system includes thehousing module 500, the intake module 400 (not shown), the disk-packmodule 200 (not shown), and the vortex module 100 (not shown) of theprevious embodiments.

Also illustrated in FIG. 19 is an example of a particulate collectioncontainer 620D that was previously discussed in connection with FIGS.15A and 15B. FIG. 19 illustrates how the particulate port 629D will passthrough the bottom 914 of the tank 910, which in at least onealternative embodiment includes a gasket or other seal around theparticulate port 629D.

In an alternative embodiment, the system also includes an external A/Cmotor driving the disk-pack turbine through a drive system such asindirect drive linkage including, for example but not limited to, one ormore belts (e.g., O-rings) or a transmission linkage that is present ina belt housing that passes through the water storage wall 912 andprovides a compartment connecting the driveshaft connected to thedisk-pack turbine, which is present in the housing, and the motordriveshaft. The alternate embodiment places the motor housing externalto the storage tank 910 so that the motor does not need to be asubmersible motor. If multiple belts are included with the system andthe driveshaft from the motor includes a plurality of gears, then thesize of the belt is selected to drive the disk-pack turbine at apredetermined set speed. Alternatively, the driveshaft engaging thedisk-pack turbine may include the gears in addition or instead of theexternal driveshaft.

In at least one embodiment the belt housing is sealed and held in placeby a gasket that fits snugly around it and engages a cutout (or otheropening) created in the water storage tank wall 912. The gasketconnection provides an advantageous anchoring point for the systemwithin the water storage tank.

In a further embodiment, the conduit 592 is passed through the belthousing through holes with gaskets at a point inside the water storagetank and exiting out from the belt housing at a point external to thewater storage tank.

In a further embodiment, the system includes a controller that controlsthe operation of the system. The above-described motor modules may beprovided with a variety of operation, control, and process monitoringfeatures. Examples include a switch (binary and variable), computercontrolled, or built-in controller resident in the motor module.Examples of a built-in controller include an application specificintegrated circuit, an analog circuit, a processor or a combination ofthese. The controller in at least one embodiment provides control of themotor via a signal or direct control of the power provided to the motor.The controller in at least one embodiment is programmed to control theRPM of the motor over a predetermined time based on time ofday/week/month/year or length of time since process start, and in otherembodiments the controller responds to the one or more characteristicsto determine the speed at which the motor is operated. In a furtherembodiment, the controller runs for a predetermined length of time afterwater has been added to the storage tank. In a further embodiment, thecontroller also controls operation of the supplemental valve 294 whenpresent in an embodiment with a controller.

In at least one embodiment, the controller monitors at least one of thevoltage, amperage, watts, hours of run time (current operation periodand/or total run time) and speed (rotations per minute (RPM)) of themotor to determine the appropriate level of power to provide to themotor for operation and/or adjust the speed of the motor. Other examplesof input parameters include chemical oxygen demand (COD), biologicaloxygen demand (BOD), pH, ORP, dissolved oxygen (DO), bound oxygen andother concentrations of elements and/or lack thereof and have thecontroller respond accordingly by automatically adjusting operationalspeeds and run times.

A prototype using a discharge outlet built according to at least oneembodiment of the invention was placed into a tank having a capacity ofat least 100 gallons and substantially filled to capacity with water,which caused the system to be completely submerged in water. The systemwas started up with submerged lights placed around and aimed at thedischarge port to capture the images depicted in FIGS. 20A and 20B,which are both enlarged to the same amount and have light coming fromthe right side of the image. These images were captured from aslow-motion video taken with a macro lens. FIG. 20A shows the relativesize of the vortical solitons that were discharged from the dischargeoutlet relative in size to an adult male's fingers. The vorticalsolitons spin and rotate about their centers as they move up and downwithin the water. The vortical solitons appear to be substantially flatvortex disc that are spinning and moving based on the captured video asrepresented in the images depicted in FIGS. 20A and 20B. The imagesinclude countless pairs of vortical solitons that upon discharge fromthe discharge outlet 232 wholly saturate the water within a containedenvironment with each soliton persisting until its energy is dischargedvia contact with a solid boundary or an obstruction. Although the wateris saturated with these vortical packets of rotating energy, eachmaintains a relative distance of separation from its other soliton inthe pair without collision with the other soliton. From review of thevideo, it appears that the soliton pairs move in complete lockstep witheach other as they progress through the water environment while turningand spinning. It is believed that this restructuring of the water allowsin part for it to impact the larger volume of water in which the systemruns, because these vortical solitons will continue on their respectivepaths until interfered with by another object such as the wall of thecontainer or other structural feature.

It should be noted that the present invention may, however, be embodiedin many different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments and prototype examples set forth herein; rather, theembodiments set forth herein are provided so that the disclosure will bethorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventionto those skilled in the art. The accompanying drawings illustrateembodiments according to the invention.

As used above “substantially,” “generally,” and other words of degreeare relative modifiers intended to indicate permissible variation fromthe characteristic so modified. It is not intended to be limited to theabsolute value or characteristic which it modifies but rather possessingmore of the physical or functional characteristic than its opposite, andpreferably, approaching or approximating such a physical or functionalcharacteristic. “Substantially” also is used to reflect the existence ofmanufacturing tolerances that exist for manufacturing components.

The foregoing description describes different components of embodimentsbeing “in fluid communication” to other components. “In fluidcommunication” includes the ability for fluid to travel from onecomponent/chamber to another component/chamber.

Based on this disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the use of “same”, “identical” and other similar wordsare inclusive of differences that would arise during manufacturing toreflect typical tolerances for goods of this type.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations andmodifications of the exemplary and alternative embodiments describedabove can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit ofthe invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scopeof the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than asspecifically described herein.

I claim:
 1. A disk-pack turbine comprising: a top rotor having anopening passing through its axial center; a plurality of disks eachhaving an opening passing through its axial center, at least twowaveforms centered about the opening, and a flange; a bottom rotor; anda plurality of wing shims connecting said top rotor, said plurality ofdisks, and said bottom rotor wherein, each wing shim is connected to atleast one of the flanges.
 2. The disk-pack turbine according to claim 1,wherein the thickness of each disk is less than 2.5 mm, and the heightof a space between neighboring disks is less than 2.5 mm.
 3. Thedisk-pack turbine according to claim 1, wherein said waveform includesat least one ridge and at least one channel.
 4. The disk-pack turbineaccording to claim 1, wherein said waveform includes at least onecircular and/or at least one biaxial waveform.
 5. The disk-pack turbineaccording to claim 1, wherein said waveform includes at least one of thefollowing: sinusoidal, biaxial sinucircular, a series of interconnectedscallop shapes, a series of interconnected arcuate forms, hyperbolic,and/or multi-axial including combinations of these.
 6. The disk-packturbine according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of diskshas a substantially uniform thickness throughout the disk.
 7. Thedisk-pack turbine according to claim 6, wherein said waveform includesat least one ridge and at least one channel.
 8. The disk-pack turbineaccording to claim 6, wherein said waveform includes at least onecircular and/or at least one biaxial waveform.
 9. The disk-pack turbineaccording to claim 6, wherein said waveform includes at least one of thefollowing: sinusoidal, biaxial sinucircular, a series of interconnectedscallop shapes, a series of interconnected arcuate forms, hyperbolic,and/or multi-axial including combinations of these.
 10. The disk-packturbine according to claim 1, wherein each disk having said flangearound a perimeter of said disk, said wing shims are spaced around saidperimeters of said disks.
 11. The disk-pack turbine according to claim10, wherein the axial center openings of said top rotor and said disksdefine an expansion chamber, each disk having a second flange around theopening of said disk, said wing shims include wing shims spaced aroundsaid second flanges proximate to the expansion chamber.
 12. Thedisk-pack turbine according to claim 1, wherein the axial centeropenings of said top rotor and said disks define an expansion chamber,each disk having said flange around the opening of said disk, said wingshims are spaced around said flanges proximate to the expansion chamber.13. The disk-pack turbine according to claim 12, wherein each supportmember extends from said top rotor to said bottom rotor.
 14. Thedisk-pack turbine according to claim 1, wherein each wing shim includesa support member, and a plurality of spacers on said support member. 15.A method comprising: drawing water into and up through a plurality ofconduits from a source environment from which the water is drawn;forming a vortex flow of the water in a vortex chamber that receives thewater from the plurality of conduits; discharging the water from thevortex chamber into an expansion chamber defined in a disk-pack turbine;channeling the water between spaces that exist between disks of thedisk-pack turbine to travel from the expansion chamber to anaccumulation chamber surrounding the disk-pack turbine; routing thewater through the accumulation chamber to a discharge chamber; andforming a vortical flow of the water up through the discharge chamberback into the source environment from which the water was drawn and adownward flow of solids to a discharge port.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein the vortical flow of the water includes a plurality of vorticalsolitons that flow into the environment containing the water.
 17. Themethod of claim 15, further comprising drawing water into a housing thatencloses the plurality of conduits and the vortex chamber where thehousing draws the water from below a height of the vortex chamber. 18.The method of claim 17, wherein the vortical flow of the water includesa plurality of vortical solitons that flow into the environmentcontaining the water.
 19. A system comprising: a vortex module; adisk-pack module in fluid communication with said vortex module; a motorconnected to said disk-pack module; a housing module, said housingmodule having installed therein at least said vortex module and saiddisk-pack module; a water storage tank, into which said housing moduleis installed, said water storage tank having an opening in its floor; atleast one discharge tube connected to said disk-pack module, said atleast one discharge tube passing through the opening in the floor of thewater storage tank to discharge precipitate in a location exterior tothe system, said water storage tank opening is sealed around said atleast one discharge tube; and a controller in electrical communicationwith said motor, said controller configured to control the operation ofsaid motor.
 20. The system according to claim 19, wherein said disk-packmodule including a disk-pack turbine in fluid communication with saidvortex module and connected to said motor, a disk-pack housing with anaccumulation chamber in which said disk-pack turbine is located, and adischarge outlet in fluid communication with said accumulation chamberand connected to said at least one discharge tube.